Where to Light Up Your Life This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for our families, the blessings we’ve received, caring friends, amazing communities, and all the gifts of life we have. The arrival of Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season for many people. Shopping begins in earnest the following day, holiday lights are strung and turned on, Christmas parades and ceremonies begin. If you want to be part of the exciting festivities and light up your life over the holidays, check out the following events taking place in the local area. If you’re looking for holiday accommodations for yourself or your family, give us a call at Sandy Beach Oceanfront Resort and we can assist you.

Barefoot Landing’s annual holiday ceremony, The Lighting of the Landing, will take place on Saturday, November 19 beginning at 6:00 pm with fireworks to follow at 7:00 pm. This popular annual event will feature a visit from Santa, along with holiday music from The Alabama Theatre and other local groups and individuals.

The Market Common’s Annual Tree Lighting event will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, November 19 at Reed Street and DeVille Street. There will be a trackless train for the children on Deville as well as a balloon artist, face painter, carnival games and inflatables on Reed. The stage events begin with Ruckus Drumline in front of the Grand 14, followed by Beach Brass Quintet and Santa! Vocal Edition choral group will close out the evening with holiday music.

Join Santa and his friends at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex at the Sandhills Bank Amphitheater in the McLeod Seacoast Meadow (150 Citizens Circle, Little River, SC 29566) for Lighting of the City Christmas Tree on Friday, Dec. 2 beginning at 6:00 pm. Activities, entertainment and refreshments are available for children of all ages. A great start to your holiday season!

Broadway at the Beach will hold its A Very Broadway Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 11:00 am in front of Ripley’s Aquarium then head on over to the Center Court for live entertainment and fun for the whole family from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. The Christmas tree lighting at will take place at 6 pm followed by a fireworks show at 8:00 pm.

Ripley’s Aquarium will be kicking off the holiday season just the right way, with its Festival of Trees beginning now through December 30. Come see trees decorated for every state and more!

The Great Christmas Light Show at the North Myrtle Beach Parks and Sports Complex runs from November 25 – December and is a park-wide celebration that captures the true spirit of the season! The drive through light show will feature over 1.7 million lights festively displayed along a 1.5 mile drive through the Complex. Over 400 magical light displays, some up to 70 feet tall, have been custom made for the show. Visitors will experience 14 enchanting animated figures and holiday scenes where the lights will come to life. Afterwards park your car and visit Santa’s Village where you can enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores, get an up close look at the lights on the Santa Express Train Ride, ice skate, experience the Go Ape lighted tree top adventure, and meet Santa!

Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens is held the weekends of December 1-3, 8-10, and 15-18. Experience the gardens coming to life amid the soft glow of more than 5,500 hand-lit candles and countless sparkling lights from 3-10 p.m. An 80-foot-tall fir tree decorated with 70,000 lights will be lighted in ceremonial fashion at 5:45 p.m. each night. An outdoor glass sculpture exhibit will be on display in Anne’s Garden. Created by Conway Glass, guests will see the garden beautifully decorated with new hand-blown glass flowers and trees. Walk the paths with a warm cup of cider, hear the sounds of hand bells ringing, carolers singing, and celebrate the season with family and friends.